Damper Sealing Element Geometry for Stable Overload Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dampers for movably supporting pivoting or pull-out elements, such as furniture parts, suffer from limited application range due to manufacturing tolerances and inconsistent performance of the closure element, leading to premature opening of overload openings or insufficient pressure dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A damper design featuring a sealing element with a first section that bears against the fluid chamber wall and a second section that pivots or tilts relative to the first section above a pressure threshold, creating an overload channel to manage excessive pressure by allowing additional fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closure element material is made softer to bear against the inner wall sufficiently, then the sealing performance is improved, but the overload opening opens too fast causing premature pressure relief
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into a first section for sealing against the inner wall and a second section for controlling the overload opening. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently: the first section provides sufficient sealing contact, while the second section's geometry controls when the overload opening activates, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and overload timing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the sealing element have different functional qualities. The first section is designed for sealing contact with the inner wall, while the second section is designed with specific geometric features (such as inclined surfaces or gaps) that determine the pressure threshold for opening the overload channel. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both sealing and overload protection functions.
2Strength
If the closure element material is made harder to maintain stiffness, then the structural stability is improved, but the bearing against the inner wall becomes insufficient leading to delayed overload opening
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is segmented into functional sections where the first section maintains structural stiffness and the second section provides the sealing function that contacts the inner wall. This allows the overall element to be stiff enough for structural stability while the sealing section maintains sufficient contact pressure for reliable sealing and timely overload opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element exhibits local quality differences: the first section has properties optimized for structural support and stiffness, while the second section has properties optimized for sealing contact and pressure-sensitive opening. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall stiffness and local sealing effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If manufacturing tolerances on the inner wall and overload opening are reduced to improve precision, then the consistency of performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element's geometry (such as the angle of inclined surfaces, gap dimensions, or profile shape) is designed to compensate for typical manufacturing tolerances in the fluid chamber. By carefully selecting these geometric parameters, the sealing element can maintain consistent sealing performance and overload opening pressure across a range of manufacturing variations, reducing the need for tight tolerances in the chamber itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element concentrates the tolerance compensation function in its geometric design, particularly in the second section that interacts with the overload opening. This localized tolerance compensation allows the rest of the fluid chamber to be manufactured with standard tolerances, balancing performance consistency with manufacturing feasibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the annular closure element is designed to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, then the application range is improved, but the material cross-section must balance conflicting requirements of softness for sealing and hardness for stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is segmented into a first section for sealing contact and a second section for structural support and overload control. This segmentation allows different material properties or geometries in each section, enabling the element to simultaneously achieve softness for sealing in the first section and stiffness for tolerance compensation in the second section, thus expanding application range without excessive material property conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element may utilize composite construction or composite material properties, combining materials or structures that provide both sealing compliance and structural stiffness. This composite approach allows the element to meet conflicting material property requirements, expanding the damper's applicability across different loading and tolerance conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively dissipates excessive pressure by allowing increased fluid flow through the overload channel, preventing damper failure and ensuring consistent performance across varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The damping action of a damper is generated by the flow resistance of a damping fluid arranged in a damper housing
Implementation Method 2
at least one, preferably ring-shaped, sealing element having at least a first section which bears against or which is configured to bear against an inner wall of the fluid chamber
Implementation Method 3
The second section is spaced apart from the inner wall of the fluid chamber and is configured to be moved, preferably pivoted, tilted and/or radially widened, above a predetermined threshold value of a pressure application to the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A damper is provided for a fitting for movably supporting a pivoting element or a pull-out element relative to a stationary carrier. The damper includes a damper housing, a fluid chamber arranged in the damper housing, a damping fluid arranged in the fluid chamber, a piston displaceably supported in the fluid chamber, and a sealing element having a first section which bears against or which is configured to bear against an inner wall of the fluid chamber. The sealing element includes a second section, the second section being spaced apart from the inner wall of the fluid chamber and being configured to be moved, preferably pivoted, tilted and/or radially widened, above a predetermined threshold value of a pressure application to the piston, relative to the first section which bears against or which is configured to bear against the inner wall of the fluid chamber.